Indicia bearing brush handle



Dec. 3, 1957 J. w. BIRSE 2,814,318

' INDICIA BEARING BRUSH HANDLE Filed June 1'7, 1954 All-l fn VEFZ far" u'omv 14 512 8E ICIA BEING BRUSH HANDLE John W. Birse, Toledo, Ohio, assignor to Owens Brush Company, Toledo, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application June 17, 1954, Serial No. 437,484

2 Claims. (Cl. 15143) This invention relates to manually graspable handles for brushes or the like articles, and more particularly, to improvements in toothbrushes and handles therefor.

Articles such as brushes, and particularly toothbrushes, are preferably provided with an elongated handle that is easily grasped by the hand or even grasped between the thumb and finger so as to facilitate manipulation thereof. As is well known, the recommended procedure in brushing the teeth is to rotate the toothbrush so that the ends of the bristles describe arcs that extend generally lengthwise of theteeth. Where the handle of the toothbrush is provided with opposite broad faces that are generally smooth, it is somewhat awkward for the user to handle the brush, particularly if the brush handle is wet or has a small amount of soap thereon to cause it to slip in the hand. Also, material saving is always a consideration in the construction of brush handles.

An additional feature which is useful, particularly in the case of toothbrushes, is that of providing for a suitable rnethod of distinguishing one brush from another, for example, so that the members of a family may each recognize his own toothbrush. The brushes have been made of different colors, and various types of markings have been suggested, but all of these usually leave something to be desired. From time to time new brushes are purchased and one cannot always obtain the brush having the same color as the one he is discarding. Also, various markings on the toothbrush handles tend to be covered with toothpaste or soap at one time or another so as to obscure their meaning. Further, changing the general cross-section of a toothbrush to circular cross-section, for example, or perhaps to a cross-section having raised indicia thereon tends to cause the user to loose the feel of the toothbrush because of having been long accustomed to a toothbrush handle of generally elliptical cross-section, provided with relatively broad faces on the side from which the bristles project and on the opposite side therefrom.

Accordingly, it is an important object of the instant invention to provide an improved manually graspable handle for a brush or the like, and particularly for a toothbrush.

It is a further important object to provide an improved manually graspable handle for a brush or the like, which comprises an elongated loop of rigid resilient material, said loop having substantially parallel sides in the intermediate portion thereof, and a plurality of generally planar intelligence-bearing indicia secured to and bridging between the substantially parallel loop sides maintaining the sides in fixed spaced relation.

Other objects, features and advantages of the instant invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed disclosure thereof and the drawing which forms a part hereof.

On the drawing:

Figure 1 is a top plan View of a toothbrush embodying the principles of the invention;

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the toothbrush of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an enlarged detail sectional view taken substantially along the line IIIIII of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary top plan view of another handle embodying the instant invention; and- Figure 5 is an enlarged detail sectional view taken substantially along the line V-V of Figure 4.

As shown on the drawing: I

The reference numeral 10 indicates generally a toothbrush comprising a head portion 11 (Figures 1 and 2) adapted to mount bristles, as at 12; an integral handle portion 13 extending outwardly from the head 11 to define an elongated manually graspable handle 13 having an aperture '14 therein; the aperture 14 being defined by a pair of substantially parallel side walls 15 and 16 in the intermediate portion of the handle 13, which side walls 15 and 16 converge at opposite ends 17 and 18 to define rounded ends 14a and 14b, respectively, for the aperture 14; and a plurality of thin, generally planar rigid intelligence-bearing indicia 1%, 19b, 190, etc. bridging the aperture 14 and secured to the parallel side walls 15 and 16 for maintaining the side walls 15 and 16 in spaced relation.

Most preferably, the brush 10 is made of a generally rigid material with a certain amount of resilience to facilitate handling thereof. Such materials as synthetic resins are suitable, the thermoplastic synthetic resins which may be injection-molded to form relatively rigid bodies in the thicknesses here used are best. in particular, the cellulose esters (cellulose acetate, cellulose butyrate, cellulose nitrate, cellulose acetate-butyrate, etc.) are used; but other cellulose derivative synthetic resins such as the ethers (methyl cellulose) can be used. Other resins such as the methacrylates, acrylates, polystyrene, etc. may be used.

A key to the saving of material as well as the proper balance, touch, strength, and sturdiness is in the actual dimensions used. Based on the length is of the handle 13 (which is assumed to extend from the outer end 18 to the neck portion at the inner end 17 integrally formed with the head 11), the brush head b is only about 0.3 to 0.4 h (actually 0.35 h). The aperture length a from one end 14a to the other 14b is about 0.7 to 0.8 h (actually 0.75 h) extending substantially the full handle length; and the length 2 of the intermediate portion of the aperture 14 having substantially parallel side walls 15 and 16 is at least about 0.4 a and preferably not more than about 0.8 a to permit smooth lines at the ends of the handle. About 0.3 to 0.5 h (actually 0.33 h) is preferred for the parallel wall portion length p in order to provide best gripping plus adequate strength in the handle; and for the same purposes the handle width w (Figure 3) is preferably about 0.1 ($0.05) [1, particularly throughout the length p of the intermediate portion.

Also, it will be noted from Figure 3 that the overall cross-section of the handle 13 is that of an ellipse so the user will have the correct feel for the flat sides indicating the location of the bristles. The aperture 1 merely removes part of the center of the ellipse, facilitating the gripping thereof without losing the feel or touch feature provided by the elliptical shape. The aperture width y is about /2 w (or 0.4 to 0.6 w), thereby providing for substantially round cross-sections for the individual walls 15 and 16 having an average diameter d or d of about A w (or 0.2 to 0.3 w). The indicia members are themselves quite thin preferably, t being generally not more than the thickness d of the handle and preferably only 0.05 to 0.2 w (actually 0.1 w here).

The relative sizes of the indicia members 19 and the parallel side walls 15 and 16 are of particular importance in a number of. respects. First of all,.the sides. wallslS and 16 are of sufiicient size to provide the adequate gripping necessary, particularly when spaced apart to the extent here indicated, and the side walls'1 5 and 16 do provide appreciable strength for the instant structure. However, in view of the general resilience inherent in the thermo-plastic synthetic resins preferred for use in this device, the side walls 15 and 16 would ordinarily tend to collapse or come together if an appreciable amount of pressure is applied thereto during handling of the brush 10. These side walls 15 and 16 and the general structure of the handle 13 thus provide for an appreciable saving of material without still losing the generally elliptical cross-section hereinbefore mentioned. However, this structure does provide certain weaknesses, in the absence of the indicia 19. The indicia 1% form a bridge of relatively thin material between the parallel wall portions 15 and 16. Even though this bridge may have the thickness t hereinbefore described, it resists compressive forces and thus maintains the walls 15 and 16 in the predetermined spaced relation here described. If desired, the indicia members 19 may be thicker; but for most uses this is not advantageous. First of all, more material is required to make thicker indicia. Thicker indicia are not needed to provide the strength required for this structure. The substantially reduced thickness "t here employed in the preferred proportions provides still another unique advantage in the instant device. Most preferably, the brush is made from a single integral body of synthetic resin (the bristles 12, of course, being excluded from the integral resin body)- and this integral resin body is preferably made of a cellulose derivative resin which is translucent but not necessarily transparent. In other words, the resilient material is a light transmitting material, but it is usually translucent rather than transparent to the extent that it causes at least partial diffusion of the light transmitted therethrough. The same result may be accomplished by incorporating a die or pigment in the resilient material so as to prevent 100% light transmission therethrough. Because thismaterial is either light diffusing or colored so as to avoid being a 190% light transmitter, the varying thicknesses of this material will give a different appearance to the viewer. in the instant device, the extremely thin indicia will show up very brightly against a light background, whereas the supporting walls and 16 will appear to be much darker. This adds materially to the appearance of the handle 13 and assists in the usefulness thereof in that the intelligence which is to be conveyed by the indicia 19 in the handle is more emphatically conveyed by indicia which are more outstanding in appearance than the handle background.

In addition, the thin indicia 19 improve the gripping qualities of the handle 13, because they permit the fingertips to sink slightly into the sides of the aperture 14 but to engage the irregular surfaces presented by the indicia 19 so as to better hold the handle 13. Also, the material saving advantage is, important and the improved cleanliness is important, since these indicia can be readily washed clean and do not present light grooves or similar marks in the brush handle heretofore used. Instead,- the entire handle 13 presents surfaces which actually do not have fine grooves therein. Moreover, the usual hole for hanging the toothbrush on the wall, which is ordinarily formed near the outwardly extending end 18 of the handle as an extremely small hole is completely eliminated. This relatively small hole had a tendency to clog up with soap, etc. and present a generally unclean appearance. The instant device provides for such a large opening at the end 1412 of the aperture 14 that no problem is presented in connection with keeping this portion clean, even though the hanger effect served by the hole heretofore used is still featured herein.

It will thus be seen that theinstant handle structure provides a. number of unique advantages. First'of all,

it provides for the presence of intelligence conveying indicia which materially assist in the structural features of the handle, which are readily cleaned and do not comprise grooves or similar surface irregularities which defy cleaning, and which are preferably thin enough to have unusual lighting characteristics so as to stand out clearly from the handle. In addition, these indicia provide the necessary spacing supports between the side Walls 15 and 16 so that the material saving can be effected without loss of the necessary strength in the handle. Also, these indicia provide additional gripping for the fingertips which maybe inserted into the aperture 14.

Referring now briefly to Figures 4 and 5, it will be seen that the structure generally has a number of similarities and those elements which perform the same function as the corresponding elements in Figures 1, 2 and 3 are designated by the corresponding primed reference numerals. It will also be noted that the overall dimensions are the same as those indicated hereinbefore in connection with the various elements. In the embodiment of Figures 4 and 5, the indicia members 20a, 20b and 200 are removably attached to the side walls 15 and 16' by virtue of opposed mounting means, in this case the grooves 21 and 22 which are mounted in the side walls 15 and 16, respectively, opposing each other. It will be appreciated that other mounting means might be employed, but the grooves 21 and 22 provide a simplified arrangement readily adapted for use in the instant device. The indicia members 20 have substantially the same size as their corresponding members 19 in Figures 1, 2 and 3, with the exception that the indicia members 2t) are provided with rounded ends, as at 23b and 24b of Figure 5. The rounded ends 23b and 24b fit the grooves 21 and 22, respectively, and the indicia member 20b is slipped into position merely by forcing the rounded ends 23b and 24b into the grooves 21 and 22. The inherent resilience in the side walls 15 and 16 permits a slight spreading of the side walls 15' and 16' under pressure so that the indicia member 2011 may be forced in to position. Once in position, the walls 15 and 16' snap back to their original spaced relationship and the rigid indicia member 20b serves to maintain this spaced relationship. In ordinary use, there is no tendency to spread the walls 15 and 16 in a toothbrush handle and only a tendency to compact or bend the walls 15 and 16 together. Accordingly, the indicia member 2012 between the walls 15' and 16 serves adequately to maintain the spaced relationship therebetween during ordinary use, but may readily be removed by spreading the walls 15' and 16'. The particular advantage of replaceable indicia is in the specialized brush fields as well as in the advertising fields. For example, advertising of one type or another may be interchangeably positioned in the instant brush. Monogrammed brush handle sets may be provided, with interchangeable letters for obtaining the desired initials for the monogram. In addition, dates for visiting the dentist for a checkup may be continuously replaced in these handles, if this is the particular intelligence which is to be conveyed by the indicia.

It will be understood that modifications and variations may be effected without departing from the scope of the novel concepts of the present invention.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a toothbrush comprising a head portion adapted to mount bristles, an integral handle portion extending outwardly from said head portion to define an elongated manually graspable handle of length It having an aperture therein of length 0.7-0.8 it, said aperture being defined by a pair of substantially parallel side walls of 0.3-0.5 h in length in the intermediate portion of the handle which converge at opposite ends of the handle to define rounded ends for the aperture, the cross-sectional shape of said handle being generally elliptical. to afford convenient handling andthe aperture and the handle affording additional convenience in handling for the fingertips, and a plurality of thin generally planar relatively rigid intelligence-bearing indicia bridging said aperture each secured to both said substantially parallel side walls for maintaining the same in spaced relation.

2. In a toothbrush comprising a head portion adapted to mount bristles, an integral handle portion extending outwardly from said head portion to define an elongated manually graspable handle of length h having an aperture therein of length 0.7-0.8 h, said aperture being defined by a pair of substantially parallel side walls of length 0.3-0.5 h in the intermediate portion of the handle which converge at opposite ends of the handle to define rounded ends for the aperture, the width w of said intermediate portion of the handle being 0.05-0.15 h, each of said substantially parallel side walls having substantially round cross-sections with an average diameter of 0.2-0.3 w and said walls being spaced apart 0.4-0.6 w so as to provide a generally elliptical cross-section for the intermediate handle portion, and a plurality of thin generally planar 6 relatively rigid intelligence-bearing indicia bridging the aperture and secured to said substantially parallel side walls for maintaining the same in spaced relation, said indicia having a thickness of 005-02 w so as to p ovide recessed gripping means for the fingertips within the aperture and to facilitate manipulation of the handle.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 876,317 Booth Jan. 14, 1908 1,547,120 Hamilton July 21, 1925 1,657,450 Barnes Ian. 31, 1928 2,005,659 Matteson June 18, 1935 2,016,644 Luball Oct. 8, 1935 2,529,815 Rothe Nov. 14, 1950 2,548,151 Friedman Apr. 10, 1951 2,613,466 Bowder Oct. 14, 1952 2,661,491 Peterson Dec. 8, 1953' 

